Radiesse Q&A

59%

WORTH IT RATING

459 Reviews

Ask a Question

View Before and Afters

Average Radiesse Cost: $950

Learn about Radiesse

1,227 people and 391 doctors are talking about Radiesse

Get Free Email Updates

Radiesse Side Effects

asked 2 years ago by skimomma in Dillon, CO
Latest answer by Michael M. Kim, MD
Question viewed 65,729 times
Tags: complication, recovery, side effects

What are some complications that could arise after a Radiesse procedure? Are there specific areas where it shouldn't be used?

15 answers to Radiesse Side Effects

Radiesse hurts, but no pain, no gain.

Radiesse is a synthetic calcium hydroxyapatite filler. Calcium hydroxyapatite is the stuff that makes up your bone. The Radiesse people have made a synthetic version of this compound that is injected as a gel. The gel is great as a filler for deeper folds and wrinkles. It is great for the nasolabial folds, grooves under your eyes and any larger volume loss on your face. It lasts for about one year, although Bioform would like you to believe it lasts longer than that. One of the wonderful... more

Robert M. Freund, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon

Radiesse or Radiance, stay away! Go With Juvederm for wrinkle removal

Radiesse, first called Radiance, received FDA clearance for the soft tissue of the vocal cords and for urinary incontinence originally. It is derived from calcium hydroxyl appetite, a component of bone. Many patients have reported lumps, bumps, migration and deformities with this product. The result is not permanent, but generally very long lasting. This product seems to have fallen out of favor but was very popular with the media for a period of time. I am proud to say I have never... more

Michael Law, MD
Raleigh-Durham Plastic Surgeon

Radiesse complications

Radiesse should be avoided in the lips. They can form lumps and are difficult to treat. Most complications of Radiesse are due to lumps or irregularities from over injection. Some people can get granulomas or even infections. But this can happen with other fillers. Local bruising and swelling can occur too.

Steven Wallach, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Swelling and bruising and improper placement.

Skimomma, This is a good question. Many patient have products injected into them, but have no idea what they are getting into. There are many great products, including Radiesse. However, it is great that you are seeking out this information so that you will be an informed patient. All fillers are injected through the skin with hypodermic needles. So, there is risk of bruising from puncturing microscopic capillary arteries in the dermis. Some products are anticoagulant in nature (such... more

David Shafer, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon

Risks of Radiesse

Radiesse has a relatively good safety profile.The consistency is firmer than the hyaluronics and that gives rise to some of the advantages and disadvantages.Because the product is firm, placement in the lips can result in palpable and visible nodules. It can be associated with granuloma formation creating secondary nodules.However, its firmness is an advantage in non-surgical cheek or jaw enhancements as well as any other procedure that requires firmness or structural support.Other... more

Otto Joseph Placik, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Where Should Radiesse NOT be Used?

Hi skimomma. We have found Radiesse easy to use and have had no serious complications with it. One of the reasons for this is that we stay away from two areas that are problematic for Radiesse. Because of the consistency of the product (it is a thicker gel than Radiesse of Restylane), we do not use the product under the eyes or in the lips. The most likely side effect are swelling, bruising or redness. Swelling is most common for our practice. In... more

Harold J. Kaplan, MD
Los Angeles Facial Plastic Surgeon

Radiesse is a stimulatory facial filler for nasolabial folds

Radiesse is a stimulatory filler that acts, in part, to stimulate your body to make collagen. All facial fillers, regardless of type, have risks including bruising, bleeding, needle puncture irritation, and host response. Radiesse has a high safety profile and can be used on the nasolabial folds with high efficacy. It should not be used on the lips.

Raffy Karamanoukian, MD
Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon

Stay Away From Radiesse in the Lips!

Hi Ski Momma, Radiesse should not be used in the lips as it can form lumps, bumps, and possible granulomas. It also should not be used in the lower eye lid hollows. It is excellent filler for the rest of the face. There is an increased incidence of bruising and swelling following treatments (avoid blood thinners for 10 days before your treatment), otherwise the complications are similar to the other fillers. Take a ski run for me when you get the chance! Be well. Dr. P

Michael A. Persky, MD
Los Angeles Facial Plastic Surgeon

The pros and cons of Radiesse

Radiesse is a synthetic calcium hydroxyapatite filler with a favorable side effect profile. The main side effects are ones seen with any filler. Bruising, Tyndall effect (bluish hue from too superficial / shallow injection), and Pain. It typically lasts longer than Restylane and Juvederm and can be present for about a year. It also comes in larger volume syringes (1.8cc vs. 1.0/0.8cc) so it can be more cost effective if you take into account volume and duration of the product. For this... more

Michael M. Kim, MD
Portland Facial Plastic Surgeon

Radiesse question regarding safety

Radiesse has a good safety profile as an injectable filler. It is excellent for correcting loss of facial volume with cheek augmentation. It is a good product for injecting along the mandible to correct pre jowel sulcus. It should not be injected under the eyes nor in the lips due to nodule formation.

Philip Solomon, MD
Toronto Facial Plastic Surgeon

Side Effects of Radiesse

Radiesse is formed of calcium hydroxyapatite micro-spheres suspended in gel. Theoretically, the gel causes the original increase in volume, then disperses, and is replaced by the body's own collagen. It is an excellent product for use in filling the nasolabial folds and marionette lines, where it can last up to 18 months. Common side effects include redness, swelling and bruising. These usually settle in a few days. The most difficult side effect is the formation of granulomas-... more

Karen Vaniver, MD
Seattle Plastic Surgeon

Side effects of Radiesse

Radiesse is an inert chemical that has an excellent record of safety in addition to its prolonged effectiveness (1 year and longer). However, due to its high concentration and viscosity, it may cause problems, mainly bruising. Also, pain upon injection, therefore, I always give the patient a nerve block before injecting Radiesse. Even minute amounts injected under the eyes may cause bruising that may last up to 2-3 weeks. I avoid that area. Like all other fillers, it may... more

Eugene Mandrea, MD
Chicago Dermatologist

www.lakeviewderm.com

Potential complications of Radiesse

I have found Radiesse to be an excellent product for enhancing and augmenting the cheekbones, with very low risk of complications. It can also be injected into the nasolabial folds in certain candidates. Complications, when they occur, include swelling, bruising, and even lumps around the injected site and are most likely to be apparent in areas of very thin skin. For this reason, I avoid injecting Radiesse into the tear troughs and the lips, where any injected product will... more

David H. Harley, MD
Asheville Facial Plastic Surgeon

Side effects Radiesse

Radiesse injection , like any facial filler, has side effects such as bruising, swelling, bleeding, infection, allergy. Granulomas, nodules, and lumps are perhaps side effects specific to Radiesse. However, location of injection and placement of injection can dramatically impact the appearance of these. In general, it is a well tolerated facial filler. It should not be injected into three areas: the nose, the lips, and the eye area. First of all,... more

Anil R. Shah, MD
Chicago Facial Plastic Surgeon

Complications after Radiesse

Radiesse is a great product that gives very reliable and consistent results, but just like anything else, it has its strengths and weaknesses. Like any filler, you can get lumps, but it seems like in the lips it tends to cause lumps more than Juvederm or Restylane, so it is usually not used in the lips. The tear troughs under the eyes may not be the greatest place for Radiesse either, because of the thin tissue. It works great on nasolabial folds, marionette lines, cheeks, even hands. ... more